THE LEGEND OF DAMOO DHOTRE

A child born in a poor family, not much interested in formal education, rose to become a world-famous animal trainer and even went on to serve in the US Army during World War. Sounds fascinating? Then, read on about a legend who was born 112 years ago on this very date (August 31) in Maharashtra…

By Kartik Lokhande

‘Circus Villa’, an unusual name for a bungalow, attracts the attention of passersby in Lane No 9 of Subhash Nagar in Shukrawar Peth of Pune city. Though many people notice it, they tend to move ahead. But, if one has got a curious mind, one gets to know a fascinating story of an Indian boy born in a poor family making it to the biggest stage of circus in the world. Start digging further and one gets to know the legend of the greatest animal trainer from India – Damoo Dhotre.

Born on August 31, 1902, in a poor family in Pune (Maharashtra), Damodar Gangaram Dhotre was a ‘fearless’ kid. “Since childhood, there was no word like fear in his dictionary. He was not interested in formal education. His moment of awakening about the history he was about to make came at the age of 11 years when his uncle Shelar Mama’s circus came to Pune. Instantly, Damoo knew that circus was his destiny,” tells Anand Dhotre, great grandson of the legendary Damoo. Of course, adds Anand, Damoo had to face stiff opposition from his mother. But, once he made up his mind, Damoo never gave up. After initial struggle and learning various tasks in a circus, Damoo started practice. He soon developed love for wild animals in the circus. 

Published in 'The Hitavada' Insight on 31-08-2014

Noticing this, his uncle put him under proper training by well-established artists at the circus. With his hard work and innovative ideas of animal training, Damoo was made a Ring Master at a very young age. The wild animals like lions, tiger, leopards obeyed each and every command of this daredevil but caring young Ring Master. “It was but obvious that he soon became famous. But, there was more to come his way,” adds Anand.

Some of his early associates recalled the days when Damoo entered the cage under the Big Top and there was a pin-drop silence. His restless nature teeming with energy, his spirit of adventure soon made him realise that world-wide popularity was awaiting him. “He migrated abroad. First, he joined as a proprietor in Isako’s Russian Circus. Then he got an invitation from Bertram Mills Circus, and went to France to join it in 1939. And, then, there was no looking back,” Anand tells ‘The Hitavada’. During his work with the circus industry, he toured countries like America, France, Europe, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, Ceylon, and China.

What made Damoo a legend was not only his lovely handling of ferocious animals but also his other qualities. During the tumultuous years of World War-II, he signed a contract with the world renowned Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus in the United States of America. He remained associated with this circus for 10 years, popularly known as ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’. During this period, he earned admiration from all over Europe and America as ‘the’ fearless animal trainer from India. By this time, he had become a brand in himself. Then came another interesting chapter of his life. When America joined the Allied Forces in fight against Nazi-Germany during World War, Damoo joined the US Army like many other young men. For three years, between 1943 and 1946, Damoo served in the US Army and won accolades even there.

Such was the fame he earned that he was hired for Hollywood movies featuring animals. In fact, he also featured in a cameo in a famous Hollywood movie ‘Jungle Jim’ released in the year 1948. The US recognised his unmatched contribution to the circus industry and many honours came his way. John Kennedy, who was the US President in the 1960s, granted American Citizenship to Damoo Dhotre for his invaluable contribution to circus.

Damoo’s life was a fairy-tale. During his stay in the US, Damoo’s biography ‘Wild Animal Man’ was published, tracing his journey from a poor family to the greatest circus stage in the world. In India also, it was published in Marathi with title ‘Wagh Sinh Maze Sakhe Sobati’. Anand Dhotre, who is also the President of Swargiya Damoo Dhotre Pratishthan, Pune, is now pressing to get deserving recognition to the legendary animal trainer from India. He has approached various authorities to get his memorial erected in Pune, and also a commemorative postage stamp issued on Damoo Dhotre in recognition of his unmatched contribution to world circus industry.

Previously, a chapter was included in Class IV and Class IX Marathi text-books by Maharashtra Government, Anand informs. After working in circus industry for well over 40 years, and travelling across the globe, Damoo returned to his motherland India and settled down in Subhash Nagar in Pune. It was Damoo who named his bungalow appropriately as ‘Circus Villa’, reflecting is deep love for circus. In spite of his world-wide popularity, he never tried to change his name and took pride in his Indian origin. This brave son of India, breathed his last in 1973 and the legend of Damoo is living on thereafter.

Damoo’s personal belongings in US museum

Apart from Anand’s own efforts in India, even the US has preserved the memories of the legend called Damoo Dhotre. In January 2014, Anand Dhotre received a communication from Pete Shrake, Archivist, Circus World Museum, that the museum site operated on behalf of Wisconsin Historical Society has several personal belongings of Damoo. The museum abroad has got a statue, 21 rare photographs, and personal belongings of Damoo including his garrison cap, belts, arm-bands, necklace, turban, coat etc. Damoo Dhotre himself had donated these to the museum, except for photographs, to Circus World Museum in 1963.

India yet to give due recognition to Damoo

Back in India, the legend called Damoo Dhotre is yet to get deserving recognition. Despite noted litterateur Mangesh Tendulkar and ‘Shivshahir’ Babasaheb Purandare backing the demand of a memorial of Damoo Dhotre in Pune, the memorial is still far from reality.

In response to Anand Dhotre’s communications, Pune Municipal Corporation informed him that the memorial of Damoo Dhotre could not be built in the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Zoo and Wildlife Research Centre, Pune, as no land was available after clearance of zoo plan by Central Zoo Authority.  Similarly, Depratment of Posts (Philately Division), Government of India has sought ‘authentic information based on published Government sources in Hindi or English’ in response to Anand’s demand for issuance of a commemorative postage stamp on Damoo Dhotre.

“I shall keep trying not because Damoo Dhotre is my great grandfather, but because he is a legend in circus industry and remained a proud Indian till his last breath,” adds Anand. One more reason, he says, why is he trying for recognition to Damoo Dhotre is that the Government of India has not given official recognition or honours to circus greats. Even the Government of Maharashtra has failed in honouring the contribution of circus personalities from the State including Vishnupant Chhatre, the pioneer of Indian Circus.